Yet, despite the fact few in hockey will be affected more by Monahan’s expedited graduation to the NHL, Byrne insists he won’t be spending Wednesday checking his phone for a status update from his captain.

He knows — just as the rest of the hockey world does — what the Calgary Flames’ decision will be with regards to Monahan’s fate.

“Sometimes we complicate things,” Byrne says with a chuckle, pausing to dance around the obvious question.

“The guy is their leading scorer and he’s on the first powerplay unit. The bottom line is he’s helping them win games. Pretty simple.

“I haven’t bothered the Flames on a weekly basis. We talked after the Flames training camp and they were professional and clear. I’m sure they’ll let me know when they decide.”

Arguably the Flames’ best player not named Giordano, the 19-year-old Monahan is all the rage in a city that wasn’t expecting much to cheer about this year.

Not only is the sixth-overall pick in the 2013 Entry Draft amongst league leaders with six goals and nine points heading into last night’s action, he’s been the best Flames centre on a team thinner in the middle than Taylor Swift.

Sending Monahan back to junior can no longer be justified in any way, and Byrne — much to his chagrin — will be the one who suffers most because of it.

“We’re not rooting against him,” said Byrne, who saw Monahan grow rapidly from a 15-year-old checker into his leading scorer and franchise player in three seasons.

“We watch on TV, and it’s a great feather in the cap of our organization. He’s a mature, professional young man, and everybody sees what a good player he is.”

Yet, far be it for Byrne to suggest he’s shocked at how brilliantly Monahan has opened his nine game “tryout” — a test that theoretically ended last night in Phoenix prompting the Flames to decide whether he’s about to officially start the first year of his entry-level deal or be sent back to Ottawa.

“There were obviously thoughts he’d be successful in the NHL but it would be a little surprising it would be so quickly,” said Byrne who has resisted the urge to touch base with “Moneyhands” since camp, other than to congratulate him on his early success.

“Everyone knows how good of a person and teammate he is. He plays better when the games mean more. He’s going to be a good player there for a long time.”

While waiting for official word Monahan will trigger the first year of his entry-level deal by playing Thursday in Dallas, Byrne has yet to name a new captain.

“We talked to Sean when he came to camp and said in fairness to him we’d name assistants and he’d remain captain, and if it’s determined he’s not coming back, we’ll proceed then,” said Byrne, who praised Monahan for making a surprise appearance at camp for a few days before jetting to Calgary.

“He didn’t have to come — he brought himself here. He wasn’t coming, and then he phoned and asked if he could come. It speaks to just what kind of guy he is.”

Late last season, Byrne’s last-place club chose to trade away several top assets in an effort to get younger. Monahan could’ve asked to be relocated but demonstrated his character by choosing instead to be a leader by gritting it out.

Byrne’s 67’s are off to a 5-8 start and could obviously use Monahan’s talent and leadership to expedite their rebuild.

Unfortunately for Byrne, so can the Flames.

So they will keep him — a decision he made easy a half-dozen games earlier.

The kid has an incredible nose for the net, a knack for finishing, a hockey sense you can’t teach and can already roll with the big boys.

Ripping all that out of the Flames lineup would not only send a horrific message through the dressing room but also a fan base clinging to the magic he has provided so often early this season.

So Byrne’s ability to help Monahan grow the last three years will now come back to bite him as can be the perpetual curse of being an effective junior hockey coach tasked with developing his troops.

“He would help our team a lot, but his absence opens up opportunity here for others,” Byrne said.

Yet, despite the fact few in hockey will be affected more by Monahan’s expedited graduation to the NHL, Byrne insists he won’t be spending Wednesday checking his phone for a status update from his captain.

He knows — just as the rest of the hockey world does — what the Calgary Flames’ decision will be with regards to Monahan’s fate.

“Sometimes we complicate things,” Byrne says with a chuckle, pausing to dance around the obvious question.

“The guy is their leading scorer and he’s on the first powerplay unit. The bottom line is he’s helping them win games. Pretty simple.

“I haven’t bothered the Flames on a weekly basis. We talked after the Flames training camp and they were professional and clear. I’m sure they’ll let me know when they decide.”